IDP
Stay here, KSA needs Filipinos: Al-Haqabani
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia encourages Filipino workers to continue working here because they are needed by the Kingdom, said Mufrej Al-Haqabani, minister of labor and social development, on Wednesday following talks with Silvestre Bello lll, Philippine labor secretary. The talks focused on finding solutions to the problems of stranded Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), said Iric C. Arribas, Philippine consul general.
Bello hurls invective after learning plight of distressed OFWs in Saudi Arabia
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Thursday expressed his frustration over the pitiful plight of distressed overseas Filipino workers from in Saudi Arabia, a report GMA News TV's State of the Nation said.
OFW comatose in Saudi Arabia after suspected sexual abuse by employer
MANILA - A female Filipino household service worker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has drifted into comatose condition after suffering assault and sexual abuse.
Saudi King provides P1.2 billion for stranded OFWs
In recognition of the great contribution of overseas Filipino workers to their economy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shouldered the expenses of OFWs who were laid off and stranded in the oil-rich country.
Pope: 'I saw much suffering' at Lesbos refugee camp
Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on April 16, 2014. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA. Vatican City, Apr 17, 2016 / 06:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Sunday reflected on the great suffering he had witnessed at the refugee camp in Lesbos. He remembered especially the children he encountered, as well as the husband of a Christian woman who was martyred by terrorists.
Labor chief Bello leaves for Saudi Arabia to assist stranded OFWs
Labor Secretary Silvestrre Bello III on Monday night left for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he will assist stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Some stranded OFWs in Saudi need medical treatment
Some Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia are not just struggling with their legal documents. Many are facing health problems. This report tells us more. – ANC, The World Tonight, August 19, 2016
OFW raped by employer dies in Saudi
An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia who was allegedly raped by her employer has died, an official said. Filipina Irma Avila Edloy, 35, passed away Friday, Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said over radio dzMM. Forensic investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of Edloy's death.
Tapatan Ni Tunying: Stranded OFWs
Know the struggles of stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia and the government's efforts to help them.
TV Patrol: Mga na-stranded na OFW sa Saudi, iuuwi na
Libo-libong OFW sa Saudi ang inihahanda nang iuwi pabalik dito sa Pilipinas. Nasa Saudi Arabia na ngayon si Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello para sa mass repatriation sa mga susunod na linggo.
Pray and act to help refugees--what Pope Francis and Orthodox leaders said at Lesbos
Pope Francis, Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos look out at the sea from Lesbos Apri. 16. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano Lesbos, Greece, Apr 17, 2016 / 05:13 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Forced migration affects millions of people and is “a crisis of humanity.” That is what Pope Francis and two leading Greek Orthodox churchmen have said in a joint declaration signed on the Greek island of Lesbos.
1,500 OFWs in Saudi seek repatriation
By Rainier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star) | Updated August 26, 2016 - 12:00am At least 1,500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia have expressed willingness to return home, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said yesterday. Philstar.com/File photo
Failon Ngayon: Repatriation of OFWs in Middle East
Published on 27 Aug 2016 Watch Failon Ngayon as we take a look at the situation of stranded OFWs in Middle East.
Stranded in Saudi for years, 128 OFWs finally return to PH
Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News Posted at Aug 31 2016 05:21 PM MANILA – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Wednesday morning.
118 stranded OFWs in Riyadh head for Manila
Published September 4, 2016 12:51pm RIYADH —Another batch of retrenched OFWs from Saudi Arabia are on their way to Manila, a Philippine Embassy official said Sunday. First Secretary and Consul General Iric Arribas in Riyadh told GMA News Online that 118 OFWs who used to work in Saudi Oger Company left for Manila on a Saudia Airlines flight.
More OFWs from Saudi Arabia come home; grateful for gov’t care, attention
Posted 1 week ago Sep 08, 2016 Clifford Santillan Region 10 Some 141 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were among those stranded in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed their joy and gratitude to the Philippine Government as they arrived home last night via Saudi Arabia Airlines SV 804 flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I.
Boat carrying 600 migrants sinks off Egypt, killing at least 43
Amina Ismail, Reuters Posted at Sep 22 2016 07:03 AM BURG RASHID, Egypt - A boat carrying almost 600 people capsized off Egypt's coast on Wednesday, killing at least 43, in the latest disaster among migrants trying to reach Europe.
Over 6,000 migrants plucked from sea in a single day, nine dead
Reuters Posted at Oct 04 2016 08:01 AM About 6,055 migrants were rescued on Monday as they tried to reach Europe on about 40 boats, one of the highest numbers in a single day, Italy's coast guard said.
Over 1000 OFWs repatriated from Saudi Arabia in first two weeks of Sept
PIA Monday 3rd October, 2016 MANILA, Oct. 3 --In an update on OFWs repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said that a total of 1,190 OFWs were repatriated as of 14 September, all of whom have availed of the opportunity to return in the Philippines under the government's 'Bring Them Home' mission program.
More than 90 migrants believed missing after boat sinks off Libya: coastguard
WORLD NEWS | Wed Oct 26, 2016 | 6:50pm EDT More than 90 migrants are believed missing after their boat sank off the coast of western Libya on Wednesday, a coastguard spokesman said.
These are among the most powerful migrant photos we've ever seen
By Bianca Britton, CNN Updated 1629 GMT (0029 HKT) October 6, 2016 (CNN)It began when Agence France-Presse photographer Aris Messinis was on board the Spanish migrant rescue boat, NGO Proactiva Open Arms, in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya.
UN: 22,000 Iraqis displaced by Mosul fight
(Associated Press) | Updated November 4, 2016 - 7:02am Displaced people stand on the back of a truck at a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. The U.N. human rights office is lauding efforts by the U.S.-led coalition in the battle against the Islamic State group in Mosul. The office in Geneva says coalition flights over Iraq have largely succeeded in preventing IS from bringing in 25,000 more civilians to the city center, where the militant group has been using people as human shields as Iraqi forces advance on Mosul. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
DOLE allocates P200 M for displaced ‘endo’ workers
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 8, 2016 - 12:00am Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said DOLE is offering livelihood assistance for displaced workers to have alternative source of income. Skills training will be provided to those who would want to upgrade their competencies for other jobs. File photo
Rody wants shelters for Yolanda victims finished by yearend
By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 9, 2016 - 12:00am President Duterte is joined by relatives of Yolanda victims during a wreath-laying ceremony at a mass grave in Tacloban City yesterday. The President vowed to complete the distribution of permanent shelters to families hit by the super typhoon by yearend. KRIZJOHN ROSALES
Immigrants demonstrate against Trump as protests continue
Associated Press / 03:17 AM November 14, 2016 NEW YORK — Immigrants and their advocates are taking to the streets of New York City to add their voices to those who have been marching and protesting Donald Trump’s presidential win.
DOLE to illegal workers in Qatar: Come home
By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 20, 2016 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines - With less than two weeks before the offer of amnesty ends, Filipino workers who are illegally staying in Qatar were asked by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to come home.
Dole appeals to OFWS to come back, teach in PH
By: Julie M. Aurelio - @inquirerdotnetPhilippine Daily Inquirer / 02:27 AM January 21, 2017 The Department of Labor and Employment on Friday appealed to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are licensed teachers to return to the country and practice their profession as public school teachers.
Gov’t asks immigrants for help in fighting scams aimed at them
By: Hannah Esqueda, Miguel Bibanco - @inquirerdotnetThe kNOw Youth Media/New America Media/INQUIRER.net News Partner / 02:31 AM January 24, 2017 FRESNO, California — Fresno and Merced-area residents reported paying nearly $3 million to scam artists in 2016, according to state and federal officials. But that figure may be just the tip of the iceberg, they say, as victims are often reluctant to file a complaint. “We’re here to ask for help,” said Nicklas Akers, senior assistant attorney general with the Consumer Law Section of the California Department of Justice (CDOJ). “Only through community complaints and dialogue does law enforcement know about the problem.” Akers spoke during a community roundtable in Fresno last week organized by New America Media. He was joined by officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
1 killed, thousands displaced as heavy rains hit ComVal
By: Frinston Lim - @inquirerdotnetInquirer Mindanao / 05:24 AM January 25, 2017 TAGUM CITY — One person was killed in a landslide as heavy rains continued to hit Compostela Valley and nearby provinces until Tuesday, triggering severe flooding that forced thousands to seek shelter on safer ground, disaster officials said. Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy has ordered the suspension of operations of small-scale miners in the gold-rich province. The state weather bureau warned that moderate to heavy rains, brought by a cold front, could bring disastrous flooding and landslides in Compostela Valley and vast swaths of Southern Mindanao already drenched following weeks of rain.
Canada's Trudeau welcomes refugees, airline rejects US-bound passenger
Published January 29, 2017 5:52am By DAVID LJUNGGREN and ANNA MEHLER PAPERNY, Reuters OTTAWA/TORONTO - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed those fleeing war and persecution on Saturday even as Canadian airlines said they would turn back US-bound passengers to comply with an immigration ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries.
More than 1,300 migrants rescued at sea in one day — Italy coast guard
Published February 4, 2017 4:09am ROME, Italy - More than 1,300 migrants were rescued in 13 separate missions in the Mediterranean on Friday, bringing the total helped over the last three days to more than 2,600, the coast guard said.
Libyans intercept at least 1,131 migrants off western coast in a week - coast guard
Sun Feb 5, 2017 | 9:04am EST Libya's coast guard intercepted at least 1,131 migrants near the western city of Sabratha over the course of a week, a spokesman said on Saturday.
Airbnb partners with aid agency for refugees
Lin Taylor, Reuters Posted at Feb 08 2017 08:09 AM LONDON - Home-sharing website Airbnb has partnered with global aid agency International Rescue Committee (IRC) to provide short-term accommodation for refugees, joining a number of companies that has voiced their support for people fleeing conflicts.
22 migrants flee US, brave cold to claim refuge in Canada
Published February 8, 2017 6:28am OTTAWA, Canada - Twenty-two migrants fled the United States and braved bone-chilling cold to walk across the border into Canada in order to make refugee claims over the weekend, police said Tuesday.
Residents evacuated as California dam threatens to break
By Rappler.com Published Mon, Feb 13, 2017 1:24 PM MANILA, Philippines – Residents of several California towns have been ordered to evacuate late Sunday, February 12, due to fears of a dam failure.
Bodies of 74 migrants wash up on Libya beach
Hamza Turkia with Rim Taher, Agence France-Presse Late Post from Feb 22 2017 07:56 AM HARCHA - The bodies of 74 migrants who drowned in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe have washed up on a beach west of the Libyan capital, the Red Crescent said Tuesday.
U.S. promises no mass deportations in bid to calm Mexico
BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published Fri, Feb 24, 2017 8:12 AM MEXICO CITY, Mexico – US officials promised Mexico no "mass deportations" or use of military force to expel immigrants, moving to calm tensions over President Donald Trump's vow to crack down on "bad dudes" illegally residing in his country.
KADAMAY’S ‘OCCUPY BULACAN’ CAMPAIGN Settlers given 7 days to leave gov’t houses
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:51 AM March 21, 2017 PANDI, BULACAN—Teams from the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Monday posted eviction notices on doors of houses that families, most of whom were members of the group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), occupied in six government low-cost housing projects in Bulacan province.
Hungary opens base for army border patrols to stop migrants
By Pablo Gorondi (Associated Press) | Updated March 21, 2017 - 7:04am HERCEGSZANTO — Hungary's defense minister inaugurated a small military base on yesterday on the country's southern border for soldiers patrolling to prevent the entry of migrants.
The 'silent crisis' of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
Story by Rebecca Wright, CNN; Photos by Mirva Helenius, IFRC Updated 0648 GMT (1448 HKT) April 19, 2017 (CNN)They say they ran from murder and persecution. They've ended up in mud huts on the Bay of Bengal.
NY mayor criticized for proposed limits on legal aid to immigrants
Jonathan Allen, Reuters Posted at May 12 2017 07:01 AM NEW YORK - New York City public defenders on Thursday criticized a proposal by Mayor Bill de Blasio to deny free legal counsel to immigrants in deportation hearings if they had been convicted of serious crimes in the past, saying the plan would deny them due process.
Higit 180 Pilipinong binigyan ng amnesty ng Saudi, nakauwi na
ABS-CBN News Posted at May 18 2017 02:45 PM | Updated as of May 18 2017 02:48 PM MANILA - Nakauwi na sa Pilipinas Huwebes ang 182 Pilipino nabigyan ng amnestiya sa Saudi Arabia.
In busy day for rescues at sea, migrants cheer when told 'Libya is over'
Reuters Thu May 18, 2017 | 1:35pm EDT By Steve Scherer | ABOARD THE AQUARIUS RESCUE SHIP Rescues began at dawn on Thursday and by the end of the day some 2,300 migrants had been pulled off 22 wooden and rubber boats in the Mediterranean, with many rejoicing when rescuers told them that their long journey to Europe was almost over.
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC’s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
NBC News 18 May 2017 NEW YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan's bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring nearly two dozen others, city officials said.
2,100 migrants rescued in Mediterranean, heading to Italy
(Associated Press) | Updated May 21, 2017 - 5:42am ROME — The Italian coast guard says some 2,100 migrants have been rescued at sea to be brought to safety in Italy. Among those rescued Friday and early yesterday is a 6-week-old boy, one of seven migrants transferred to a coast guard motorboat to be sped to a medical facility. One body was also recovered.
Over 6 M Pinoys internally displaced in 2016
By Janvic Mateo and Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 24, 2017 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines - With more than six million Filipinos fleeing their homes due to natural disasters or conflict last year, the Philippines ranked second to China in the recent internal displacement report released by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).
9,000 undocumented evacuees yet to receive relief goods
(The Philippine Star) | Updated June 18, 2017 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines - At least 9,000 evacuees from Marawi City who transferred to Iligan City have yet to receive relief goods as they remain undocumented nearly a month after the armed conflict between the government forces and Maute group erupted.
Ubial denies deaths of 59 Marawi evacuees
ABS-CBN News Posted at Jun 19 2017 09:18 AM MANILA - Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial on Monday said she was misquoted in a media report that 59 evacuees from conflict-torn Marawi City have allegedly died in evacuation centers.
Marawi evacuees hope for end to conflict, want to go home
Published July 9, 2017 6:23pm Marawi City residents who had to evacuate to nearby towns are hoping for an end to the conflict that has ravaged their hometown.
More Marawi refugees die of various illnesses
Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jul 17 2017 03:38 PM MANILA – At least 40 residents displaced by the ongoing siege in Marawi City have died of various illnesses, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said Monday.
Nightmares of war haunting displaced Marawi children
Patrick Quintos, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jul 19 2017 09:00 PM MANILA - "Gusto kong maging ISIS." This was the answer of some of the children in evacuation centers outside conflict-stricken Marawi City, when social workers asked them what they dream to become.
Alternative route for relief goods for Marawi evacuees eyed
By: Allan Nawal - Correspondent / @inqmindanaoPhilippine Daily Inquirer / 07:04 AM July 20, 2017 DAVAO CITY — Lanao del Sur officials have asked the military to open an alternative route to Ditsaan Ramain town that bypasses the battle zone in Marawi City for delivery of relief goods to evacuees in 11 southern towns in the province.
Ilocos Norte island folk evacuated
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 06:32 AM July 31, 2017 LAOAG CITY — As many as a hundred families in Pasuquin town were evacuated on Sunday from the island sitio of Bungro in Pragata village as rain and strong winds howled through Ilocos Norte.
Duterte signs into law extension of passport validity to 10 years
President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on Wednesday Republic Act 10928 extending the validity of Philippine passports to 10 years.
Displaced Marawi children get into sports
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:26 AM August 07, 2017 DAVAO CITY — Children displaced by the months-long fighting between government troops and Islamic State (IS)-inspired terrorists have found a haven of fun as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) recently conducted special games for kids staying at evacuation centers in Iligan City.
Evacuation ordered as levee breached south of Houston
Agence France-Presse Posted at Aug 30 2017 01:04 AM Floodwaters have breached a levee south of the city of Houston, officials said Tuesday, urging residents to leave the area immediately.
Kardashians pledge $500,000 as celebs rally for Harvey storm relief
ABS-CBN News Posted at Aug 30 2017 06:51 AM LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kim Kardashian and her family on Tuesday donated a collective $500,000 to storm Harvey relief efforts, joining celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Dwayne Johnson, NFL player J.J. Watt and comedian Kevin Hart who have pledged funds to help the tens of thousands affected by the devastation in Texas.
66 distressed OFWs arrive at NAIA from Jeddah
Published October 21, 2017 12:52pm More than 60 distressed OFWs from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday morning.
Refugees from 11 countries face additional barriers under Trump plan
Yeganeh Torbati and Mica Rosenberg, Reuters Posted at Oct 25 2017 07:54 AM | Updated as of Oct 25 2017 07:55 AM WASHINGTON/NEW YORK - The Trump administration will temporarily delay the processing of most refugees from 11 countries deemed to be high-risk while resuming refugee admissions for other countries, government officials said on Tuesday.
105 undocumented OFWs repatriated from UAE
Published November 1, 2017 2:08pm A total of 105 OFWs arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday after spending years being undocumented in the United Arab Emirates, GMA News' Trisha Zafra reported on Balitanghali.
Dec. 15 deadline set for 600 temporary shelters in Marawi
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:50 AM November 13, 2017 MARAWI CITY — A multiagency government team in charge of rebuilding parts of the city flattened by the war between terrorists and government forces had given itself until Dec. 15 to finish up to 600 temporary shelters for displaced residents.
Resilience from disasters top agenda of PH environment forum in Ilocos
By: Jhoanna Ballaran - Reporter / @JhoannaBINQINQUIRER.net / 10:08 AM November 26, 2017 In a bid to improve the country’s resilience from disasters, the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) will hold an international forum to share ideas on how to combat effects of climate change in the urban areas.
Hong Kong OFWs in uproar over non-existent airline tickets
By Gaea Katreena Cabico (philstar.com) | Updated December 20, 2017 - 11:05am MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:18 p.m.) — Hundreds of distressed Filipino workers in Hong Kong worry they might not return home for Christmas and New Year after discovering that the air tickets they paid for do not exist. According to a report on the South China Morning Post, the existence of air tickets bought through agency Peya Travel cannot be confirmed.
Duterte turning over 800 shelters to Marawi evacuees
By: Nestor Corrales - Reporter / @NCorralesINQINQUIRER.net / 11:26 AM December 27, 2017 A little more than two months after declaring the liberation of Marawi City from Islamic State (ISIS) inspired terrorists, President Rodrigo Duterte will lead on Wednesday afternoon the turn over of temporary shelters to displaced residents of Marawi City, Malacañang said.
Pre-emptive evacuation, ipinatupad na sa Albay
ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 17 2018 03:04 AM Lumikas na rin sa evacuation center ang ilang pamilya mula sa Legazpi City. Kasunod ito ng ipinatupad na pre-emptive evacuation dahil sa patuloy na pag-agos ng lava mula sa Bulkang Mayon. Live mula sa Legazpi City, i-Bandila mo, Thea Omelan. - Bandila sa DZMM, Martes, 16 Enero, 2018
Nearly 36,000 flee Mayon Volcano's fury
Published January 23, 2018 8:35am Almost 36,000 people have fled to temporary shelters as of Tuesday morning, following eruptions of the restive Mayon Volcano that rained dark ash over a large part of Albay and lit up the night sky with fiery lava display.
Another batch of OFWs expected to arrive Sunday from Kuwait
Published February 4, 2018 8:48am Another group of overseas Filipino workers are expected to arrive from Kuwait this Sunday, a radio report said.
4th batch of 25 OFWs arrive from Kuwait; more arrivals expected
Published February 11, 2018 9:07am A fourth batch of 25 distressed overseas Filipino workers arrived early morning this Sunday from Kuwait.
China, PH consortium chosen to rebuild war-torn Marawi
Patrick Quintos, ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 02 2018 05:41 PM MANILA - A consortium of Chinese and Filipino companies was selected to rebuild ground zero or the most affected areas of war-torn Marawi City, Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario confirmed on Monday.
PH reviews ownership claims ahead of Marawi redevelopment
Patrick Quintos, ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 04 2018 09:23 AM MANILA - A government task force leading the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi has begun reviewing ownership claims and land titles of displaced residents as Malacañang continues to negotiate with developers on how to proceed with its plan.
Filipina seniors prove how Canada provides jobs for elderly
Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 06 2018 07:55 AM TORONTO, Canada -- Nimfa Balin of Pandacan, Manila has been living in Toronto since 1993. Rose Cruz of Taguig City, meanwhile, relocated to the "Land of Opportunity" as early as 1974. Both women – who are in their 60s – are working at a hotel in the capital of the province of Ontario.
So near and yet so far
ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 07 2018 04:51 AM Vehicles line up as they move towards Sector 1 in Barangay Lilod, Marawi City on Thursday.
Duterte in Hong Kong to meet OFWs
By: Leila Salaverria - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:49 AM April 11, 2018 HAINAN, China — President Duterte is now in Hong Kong after his trip to Boao, China, to meet with President Xi Jinping and attend the Boao Forum for Asia.
'Henry is home': Remains of Filipino beaten to death in Slovakia arrive in PH
MANILA - The body of Filipino Henry John Acorda, who died protecting a friend in Slovakia, has arrived in Manila on Tuesday morning. A Slovak government flying service Airbus A319 carrying the body of the 36-year-old Pinoy arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 10:00 a.m.
